Infrastructure

Despite ambitious continental integration goals, African trade organizations face persistent obstacles including infrastructure deficits, payment system failures, and political risks that undermine economic unity efforts.

President Tinubu's directive to complete abandoned projects yields its first major result with the commissioning of an N8 billion mall in Abuja, while state-level infrastructure improvements signal broader momentum in project delivery.

MTN Group's proposed $6.2 billion acquisition of IHS Towers will undergo regulatory review in Nigeria, where concerns over market concentration and infrastructure control have prompted government oversight of the transformative deal.

South Africa's MTN Group has tabled a $6.2 billion offer to acquire full ownership of IHS Towers, positioning the transaction as one of Africa's largest telecommunications infrastructure consolidations and potentially reshaping the continent's tower ownership landscape.

Foreign investment is flooding back into African telecommunications, with Nigeria's sector hitting its highest FDI levels since 2019 while Zimbabwe's Econet creates a billion-dollar infrastructure company ahead of a stock exchange listing.

As Nigeria grapples with one of Africa's most severe housing crises, private sector innovators are stepping forward with solutions that challenge the traditional reliance on government intervention, signalling a fundamental shift in how the continent's most populous nation approaches shelter.

Cascading utility failures are creating economic hardship for households across affected regions, with residents losing employment opportunities and facing mounting financial losses from infrastructure instability.

Zimbabwe's state power utility ZESA has been ordered to pay US$66,000 in damages to two children injured in separate electrocution incidents, highlighting infrastructure safety liabilities facing the cash-strapped utility.

As Nigerian states shower medallists with millions and officials pursue international recognition, the country's most promising athletes are choosing exile over inadequate facilities—exposing a fundamental crisis in sports development.

Electric vehicles from China are making their first serious inroads into Zimbabwe's car market, while shifting consumer preferences toward micro-SUVs signal a broader transformation in how Zimbabweans evaluate automotive value.

Zimbabwe's automotive landscape is experiencing parallel shifts as electric vehicles make their debut through Chinese imports while traditional car buyers increasingly gravitate toward micro-SUVs that promise SUV features without the premium price tag.

Bulawayo faces city-wide water cuts as electricity outages cripple pumping stations, while ZESA faces a landmark US$66,000 compensation order for negligence—highlighting the compounding failures in Zimbabwe's essential services.

Nigeria's state oil company has signed a tripartite agreement with Chinese firms for gas infrastructure development, while international traders increasingly partner with indigenous operators amid improved regulatory environment.

As Oscar Pistorius's parole period continues to spark debate and the Proteas march toward T20 World Cup glory, the region's news cycle reflects a society grappling with justice, celebration, and the complexities of public memory.

The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency is driving shipyard development whilst the Customs Service targets a 48-hour cargo clearance system, signalling a coordinated push to modernise trade infrastructure and unlock blue economy potential.